There are few better ways to spend a relaxing weekend than indulging in a movie marathon. Whether you're looking to fill a few hours or plan a fun group activity with friends, watching films back-to-back is an enjoyable way to spend your time.
For the ultimate movie marathon experience, watching movies within a single franchise can be particularly satisfying. To help you plan your next cinematic adventure, we've curated a list of 15 of the best movie franchises to binge, along with their total runtimes. This way, you can plan your weekend accordingly and immerse yourself in some of the most iconic series out there.
AnswerSee ResultsPlanet of the Apes ------------------
With "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" released just last year, now is the perfect time to dive into a classic sci-fi movie marathon. The Planet of the Apes franchise now boasts 10 films, each offering a unique take on the theme of our ape overlords. Although the newer films are not directly connected to the original series, and there are three distinct timelines within the franchise, a marathon of these movies promises a thrilling and enjoyable experience.
While we don't have the exact time it would take to watch all the Planet of the Apes films, their number suggests a comfortable two-day binge. For a quicker session, you could focus on the newer prequel films, which can be enjoyed in a single day.
### Includes Digital Version Planet of the Apes Trilogy Blu-ray Collection
36Also available in full 4K.See it at AmazonX-Men
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe dominated the superhero genre, the X-Men franchise held sway. Now expanded to include Deadpool & Wolverine, the series totals 13 movies. The timeline can get confusing with time jumps and the inclusion of Deadpool films, but for a more streamlined experience, you could follow the Wolverine timeline, which offers a shorter binge.
Excluding the Deadpool movies, you can watch all the X-Men films in just over 22 hours. However, including Deadpool is highly recommended for the full experience.
### X-Men Blu-Ray Collection
88Contains 10 movies.See it at AmazonFast and Furious
With the release of "Fast X" in 2023, the Fast and Furious franchise now consists of 13 movies. Starting as a series of racing films, it has evolved into an action-packed saga that even ventures into space. If you're in the mood for a high-octane movie marathon centered around the theme of family, Fast and Furious is the way to go.
The total runtime for all the films comes to almost 23 and a half hours. For more information on how to watch them, check out our guide on the Fast and Furious movies in order.
### Blu-Ray + Digital Fast & Furious: 10 Movie Collection
3See it at AmazonLord of the Rings
One of the most iconic movie marathons is the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary books, this epic fantasy has captivated audiences worldwide. You can extend your marathon to include the Hobbit trilogy and Amazon's Rings of Power TV series for a comprehensive viewing of the entire franchise.
The combined runtime of the six feature-length films is about 19 and a half hours. Adding the two full seasons of Rings of Power will add nearly another 18 hours. For more details, refer to our guide on the Lord of the Rings in order, or explore our recommendations for Lord of the Rings Blu-ray sets.
### The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K Ultra HD)
3See it at AmazonStar Wars
Star Wars is a franchise that continues to expand with no end in sight. With "The Acolyte" concluding this summer and numerous upcoming projects, the universe is ever-growing. There have been 11 Star Wars movies released to date, and when you add in animated films, episodes of The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and more, the timeline becomes vast.
For a movie marathon focused on the live-action films, the total runtime is just over 25 hours. For a comprehensive viewing guide, see our list of Star Wars movies and shows in order, or delve into the Star Wars Legends books for additional lore.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Among pirate movies, the Pirates of the Caribbean series stands out as a true franchise. Featuring five films, all starring Johnny Depp as the charismatic Jack Sparrow, this series offers a thrilling adventure. While we await the release of Pirates of the Caribbean 6, you can still enjoy a marathon of the existing films in a single day.
The total runtime for all five movies is just over 12 hours.
4K UHD### Pirates of the Caribbean 5-Movie Collection
2See it at AmazonJurassic Park
For fans of dinosaur movies, the Jurassic Park franchise is the go-to choice. With six feature-length films, plus short films and an animated Netflix series, the franchise offers plenty of content. A new movie, "Jurassic World Rebirth," is set for release in July 2025. The two trilogies, Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, share a common timeline.
The combined runtime for all six movies is just over 10 hours. For more information and viewing options, see our guide on the Jurassic Park movies in order.
### Out Now Jurassic World 6-Movie Collection (Standard Edition)
4Includes all six movies in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital.See it at AmazonIndiana Jones
Spanning over four decades, the Indiana Jones franchise consists of five movies. With the recent release of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" in 2023 and the new Indiana Jones game, now is a great time to revisit this classic series. If you're planning a Harrison Ford movie marathon, starting with Indiana Jones is a wise choice.
All five films can be watched in one day, with a total runtime of just over 10 hours.
4K UHD + Blu-Ray### Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection
1See it at AmazonThe Conjuring
Surprisingly expansive, the Conjuring universe includes nine movies, featuring the main series, Annabelle, and The Nun films. Navigating the timeline can be tricky for newcomers, but the journey is well worth it.
Including all nine movies and the five shorts, you can watch the entire horror movie marathon in just under 14 and a half hours. This allows you to catch up on the full story, including "The Nun 2," over a weekend.
### The Conjuring 7-Film Blu-Ray Collection
0See it at AmazonTransformers
With "Transformers One" now available, it's an excellent time to embark on a Transformers movie marathon. The franchise includes eight feature-length films, each packed with action, explosions, and humor typical of Michael Bay's style. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" takes place earlier in the timeline, so you can start with that and then move on to the original film.
Watching all the Transformers movies from start to finish will take about 18 and a half hours, perfect for a two-day weekend binge.
Limited Edition [Blu-Ray + 4K UHD]### Transformers 6-Movie Steelbook Collection
10See it at AmazonHarry Potter
Despite the Fantastic Beasts series veering off course, the Harry Potter movies remain a beloved choice for a movie marathon. Full of magic, wonder, and unforgettable characters, the Harry Potter universe is a classic for many who grew up with the books. The recent game, Hogwarts Legacy, adds even more depth to the franchise.
Excluding the Fantastic Beasts films, you can watch all eight Harry Potter movies in just under 20 hours. Including the prequel films will add another 6 hours and 49 minutes to the total.
### Harry Potter: 8 Film Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
3See it at AmazonAlien
With the addition of "Alien: Romulus," the Alien franchise now totals nine movies, including six mainline films, two Predator crossovers, and two prequels. If you're in the mood for a space-horror movie marathon, the Alien series is an excellent choice.
It will take just over 17 hours to watch every Alien movie in order, or about 14 hours if you exclude the Predator crossovers.
### Alien: 6-Film Collection
4Contains six Blu-ray discs and digital codes.See it at WalmartScream
Following the success of "Scream 5" in 2022 and "Scream 6" in 2023, with "Scream 7" set for 2026, the Scream franchise is experiencing a resurgence. If you're looking for a light-hearted horror movie marathon, watching all the Scream movies in order is a fantastic option.
The total runtime for all six Ghostface movies is a little over 11 and a half hours. For streaming options, check out our guide on where to watch all the Scream movies online.
### Scream: 6-Movie Collection
0See it at AmazonJames Bond
As one of the longest-running franchises, James Bond spans 26 movies across seven different actors. While watching every James Bond movie in release order is ambitious, focusing on a single actor's era, like Daniel Craig's, makes for a more manageable marathon.
Watching all 26 Bond films would take over 54 hours, but a Daniel Craig Bond marathon is a more reasonable 7 hours and 40 minutes.
### James Bond Collection
1Has 24 Bond films from the classic era to the modern ones.See it at AmazonThe Hunger Games
With "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" available to stream and a new Hunger Games book on the way, now is the perfect time to revisit the entire series. As a prequel, the latest film allows you to watch the franchise in chronological order without jumping around.
All five Hunger Games films can be watched in one weekend, with a total runtime of just over 11 and a half hours. The new prequel is the longest at 2 hours and 38 minutes.
